Wednesday, September 19, 2012 —
Changes in society and new expectations of colleges and employers have revolutionized the math curriculum in schools nationwide. Success in algebra often correlates to success in college, so it is very important for today’s students to do their best with this critical subject.
What practical steps can be taken to ease parental concerns and help families build confidence in this new approach to middle and high school mathematics?
Students who take advanced mathematics courses during high school, and begin to study algebra during middle school, are at an advantage. Traditionally, students cannot take a higher-level mathematics class in high school until they have successfully completed Algebra 1.
Encourage children to take algebra early in their educational careers, if they are academically ready.
Students who do not take courses covering algebraic concepts early in their schooling risk missing important opportunities for growth. Some high schools require children to complete specific math requirements in order to graduate. By the end of junior and senior years, students who have not planned ahead have fewer options in what classes they can take and may not be able to complete prerequisite courses. This can restrict a student’s college options and limit their career aspirations.
Persuade children to take additional math classes.
Many students indicate that they do not plan to take math classes beyond their school requirements. Math classes offer critical learning skills that are needed throughout life. Success in algebra correlates with success in higher education and learning reasoning skills. Taking additional math classes helps children to become logical, independent thinkers.
Technology should support math instruction and students should be encouraged to use all of the modern tools at their disposal to gain an understanding of the underlying reasoning and computations used in problem-solving. Educators believe that infusing learning aids and technology during in-school math instruction and homework completion provides an advantage at test time because it allows students to easily absorb and retain crucial math concepts.
Opinion & Letters to the Editor
Related Photos
Discussion
Math success begins with algebra
- Opinion & Letters to the Editor
-
-
Shining stars in a time of darkness
The acts of kindness shown during the aftermath of Thursday night’s storm is a nice sign for humanity.
-
School’s Out!
We took our last exams and then we sent the kids home for the summer. It is a happy day for both students and teachers. It has been a good school year, but it is always good to send the students home for summer vacation. Now we have a couple of days to clean our rooms, turn in our final grades, complete some paperwork and say good bye to our colleagues.
-
Many factors explain current economic situation in China
When I was growing up in the 1950s, China was our political enemy. My uncle, who lived next to my family, had fought the Chinese army in Korea, so nothing positive was said about China during family gatherings.
-
Remembering Our Heroes
Last weekend was Memorial weekend. It was three glorious days away from work. I spent almost every waking minute outside; I was actually still sitting on the front porch at midnight. The days were warm, not too hot, and the nights were cool. I know we won’t get another weekend like this until sometime late in the fall. In my opinion, it was a taste of heaven on earth. I hated to see it end.
-
Harristown News
Friends and Family Day
Spaulding Chapel AME Zion Church will celebrate Friends and Family Day on June 9. -
Remembering the Merritts
If you mention Merritt’s Store anywhere around Chapel Hill, most often you will hear something like, “Oh yes. Best BLTs I’ve ever tasted.”
-
We are Uniquely Made
Earlier this week the seniors at our school had one final hurdle to jump before graduation. They had to present their senior projects before panels of community members. Each room had four adults: the moderator and the three judges. You can be sure the students were quite nervous, but they usually do a great job. If they have practiced and prepared then they should experience success.
-
Ronald McDonald House of benefit to us all
On Tuesday, Stanly County Managers Association members heard a presentation concerning the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte.
-
Celebrating small businesses and continuing new ways of communicating
Some stories are worth mentioning again.
-
Editorial: Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
This amounts to spying on an American news organization -- common practice in dictatorships but scary conduct in a democratic system that prizes the public value of an independent watchdog press.
- More Opinion & Letters to the Editor Headlines
-
Shining stars in a time of darkness
